Ballade

'la poésie est l'amour réalisé d'un désir demeuré désir"

René Char



Song for a stranger


I know nothing about you.

But I've been watching you:

your serene smile,
your soft gaze,
and your hat tipped to the side
of your head...


What is it calling me?


Is it the ray of light
that ties
our eyes
together?


What is it stopping my breath?


Is it the image
of your caress?


I do not know you, nor do you 

But I've covered thousand miles
around your face
and eyes.


I've been traveling in and out your soul
with the strength of the wave
and left no trace
of my gaze.


You will go and leave 

before words of love can be spoken

before we get the full picture and


All the beauty
will keep on burning
as a new light
that you've lit up,
as a new shiver
of freedom.


I feel alive!


I share a secret: I've come close to your breath
and know how much your light is bright.


I've seen you once for ever.

Stranger.